[learc83]

>In the same way consolidation among trucking companies is outside the NTSB's jurisdition.

If the NTSB licensed trucks, and there was only enough road space to license 100 trucks per city, I'd be perfectly fine if they decided that 50/100 trucks had to be locally owned.

Usable radio frequencies are a limited resource, we have a vested interest in allocating those resources efficiently and fairly. The argument is what constitutes efficiently and fairly.

Is it fair to award licenses to the highest bidder? How about the tallest station owner?

Regardless of how they allocate licenses, they are still making a choice that determines who gets access and what viewpoints are represented.

I see no intrinsic reason that "highest bidder" is any more fair than "lives within 100 miles of the radio station."